The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has expressed concern over drought of manufacturing companies in Ibadan, and thereby, attributed it to a geometric increase in unemployment rate.

Oba Balogun made this known at a press briefing heralding his one year anniversary on the throne of his forebearers in Ibadan on wednesday.

He said the development of Ibadanland should not be left in the hands of the government alone, adding that indigenes at home and in diaspora have roles to play.

According to him, “It is high time that Ibadan indigenes came together to develop their fatherland. We should not leave the task in the hands of the government. We are all critical stakeholders.

“We have had many privately owned industries that are now moribund in the land. It is high time we revived them.

“If all these industries are operational, our children will not complain of unemployment.

“However, it may not be out of place to use this opportunity to appeal to Ibadan sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora that have the wherewithal to come up with concerted efforts towards reducing the unemployment rate, bearing in mind that government alone cannot solve the problem. It is also one solid way to reduce crime,” he stated.

The anniversary celebrations, which commences tomorrow, Thursday with a symposium titled, “Ibadan Treasure of the Last Empire and the Challenges of Urban Development,” to be delivered by Mogaji Aderemi Raji-Oyelade at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, after which there will be the launch of a Compendium packaged for the anniversary.

Other activities lined up were conferment of honorary Chieftaincy titles on three illustrious sons of the land, namely, Professor Soji Adejumo, Barrister Bolaji Ayorinde and Alhaji Adebayo Aruna, on Friday, followed by special Jumat service at the Central Mosque, Oja’ba, while the reception party holds, on Saturday, at the Jogor Centre, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Way, Oke-Ado.

The anniversary will be climaxed, on Sunday, August 6, with a Thanksgiving Service at The Cathedral of St. James The Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan.

Members of the media anniversary committee are, Professor Soji Adejumo, Comrade Gani Kayode Balogun and Mr. Oladele Ogunsola. (Nigerian Tribune)

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